Worksop: Joy for shoppers and local businesses as Council launch free Christmas parking

Free parking in the town during festive season. Picture: Marie Caley

Published:11:36Thursday 11 December 2014

Shoppers are set to benefit from free parking in the town’s Council owned car parks during the busy pre-Christmas period and just after the New Year.

Bassetlaw Council currently operates 11 car parks in Worksop, which will offer free spaces every day after 2pm up until Christmas Eve.

June Evans, cabinet member for Finance, encouraged residents to take advantage of the free parking and support local businesses.

She said: “We have been running free parking promotions at Christmas for the last few years and are delighted to once again offer free parking from 2pm every day in December up to and including Christmas Eve.”

“This applies to all Council operated car parks in both Worksop and Retford.”

“We hope that this encourages people to take advantage of the shops and independent retailers in both of our town centres.”

“If you are stuck for a present idea or even a last minute gift then why not pop into town and support a local business?”

There will also be a further boost from mid-January 2015, with residents able to take advantage of four hours free parking – two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon.

The new proposals also include the re-designation of car parks and a 10 percent increase in charges for some car parks from January.

Coun Junes Evans added: “This is good news not only for visitors to Worksop, but also local businesses.”

“We hope this will enhance the shopping experience in our towns and contribute to a boost in trade in the New Year.”

“When you compare Bassetlaw’s parking charges with neighbouring authorities, we believe we are still extremely competitive and offer value for money.”

“The small increase for some car parks is needed to ensure that we cover our costs and will now be reviewed on an annual basis.”

Stallholders on Worksop market said that, although free parking can only mean good things for the town, they do not believe trade has increased as a result of December’s free parking.

Tim Fieldhouse, who runs a fabric stall, told the Guardian: “I think it’s great that people are being offered free parking, but we have not seen a particular rise in footfall and trade has been normal.”

“The weather has been so bad over the past couple of weeks which has made things harder for traders on the market- no amount of free parking can change the weather!”